Written by Shayan Mukherjee
Stock photography by Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels)
As the curtain falls on a fantastic year for cinema—one that delivered more successful original, standalone theatrical releases than we’ve seen in ages (see my year-end review here)—our thoughts turn to what 2026 has waiting in the wings. And yes, as ever, the release calendar is filled with CGI-soaked, IP-powered behemoths, with Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and DC Studios all lining up to elbow each other out of the summer box office. The MCU’s releases in particular look the most promising since 2019, with marketing already revving up for Spiderman: Brand New Day in the summer, and the saga-culminating Avengers: Doomsday in the winter, both promising to blow the competition out of the water. On the animated front, Pixar dusts off another crown jewel with Toy Story 5, while Illumination revisits Gru’s story in Minions 3.
Still, for cinephiles, the real excitement of 2026 lies elsewhere: in a stacked slate of ambitious projects from visionary directors returning to the foundations that define their very best work. Alongside the Russo brothers returning to the MCU (where they remain suspiciously incapable of missing), Denis Villeneuve is set to continue his epic sci-fi series with Dune: Messiah, and Alejandro Iñárritu returns to Hollywood for his first feature in a decade with Digger, a comedy starring Tom Cruise, presumably to prove he can still act without dangling from a vehicle. And of course, Christopher Nolan (The Odyssey) and Steven Spielberg (Disclosure Day) are poised to dominate the general discourse with their headlining, summer blockbusters.
Which brings us to this article. Below, I’m singling out five films (and a few honourable mentions) that I think will truly stand out in 2026. In the true spirit of cinema, I’m only considering standalone films released theatrically. That means no streaming exclusives, no franchise or IP-driven entries, and no animation. Adaptations are allowed, provided the source material itself is standalone. So, for example, a film adapted from a single novel (like Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights) qualifies for consideration, whereas something like The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping does not, on account of being part of a larger franchise.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
5. Crime 101
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Studio: Amazon MGM
Director: Bart Layton
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry
What it is: Positioned as an homage to Michael Mann-style crime thrillers like Heat, Crime 101 aims to bring a grittier, more mature tone back to the usual popcorn fare. Adapted from Don Winslow’s 2010 novella of the same name, the story follows an elite jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) lining up his biggest score yet, while a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) steadily tightens the net.
Why it made the list: If it lands, this kind of grounded, character-first duel can be endlessly compelling. Watching that tension evolve within an increasingly complex dynamic is fascinating and provokes thought on how we process pressure and power. Helmed by Hemsworth and Ruffalo (with established dynamite chemistry in the MCU–have a look at Thor: Ragnarok), the film presents a rare opportunity for them to display their tremendous performative capabilities outside of franchise cinema. It’s a slightly left-field pick, but if it is executed well, this could be a small-scale, high-impact film that brings back a bygone era of suspenseful crime films.
4. The Bride!
Genre: Horror/Romance
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Peter Saarsgard
What it is: Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Bride! revisits Frankenstein’s second creation; the long-overlooked companion to his far more famous monster. Instead of remaking the 1935 Bride of Frankenstein, Gyllenhaal tells an original story inspired by the characters and themes. Set in 1930s Chicago, the film reclaims the Bride’s narrative, portraying her as a fierce figure central to her own story.
Why it made the list: The Frankenstein tale has been strip-mined to death, but its core ideas–humanity, prejudice by appearance, and the moral limits of creation–are still potent when handled with care. Complete with romantic, musical elements and a punk aesthetic, this feels a genuinely fresh take on an enduring story that still understands what keeps the myth perpetually relevant. Plus, I will watch anything with Christian Bale in it.
3. Project Hail Mary
Genre: Sci-fi
Studio: Amazon MGM
Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, Lionel Boyce
What it is: A high-concept space adventure about an astronaut who wakes up alone on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he’s there, only to realise that he is Earth’s last hope. Based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel, Project Hail Mary is a gripping story about a man who uses his ingenuity and pragmatism to save the planet.
Why it made the list: The last Andy Weir adaptation, The Martian (directed by Ridley Scott), nailed the balance between tension, humour, and genuine emotional weight. Weir’s deep understanding of space from a human perspective leant itself well to a story about isolation, the need for connection, and hope against overwhelming odds. If Project Hail Mary can strike a similarly moving tone, it could be the early-year breakout hit (just like Sinners was for 2025). Ryan Gosling also feels like a natural fit for a protagonist defined by quiet resourcefulness and hands-on problem-solving.
2. Disclosure Day
Genre: Sci-fi
Studio: Universal
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth
What it is: After the semi-autobiographical detour of The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg heads back to familiar territory with a classic alien-encounter setup, though this time with a heavier existential focus At the time of writing, details are being kept tightly under wraps, but the first trailer has already turned heads, leaning hard into an eerie, unsettling tone.
Why it made the list: Spielberg is widely credited with inventing the summer blockbuster, and as he returns to that prime-time slot, it’s worth remembering he built that legacy on sci-fi touchstones like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Disclosure Day looks poised to revisit that lineage, but with a sharper philosophical edge, asking how humanity might respond if aliens had been living among us all along. It’s a smarter, more unsettling premise than the usual invasion narrative, and one that could broaden audiences’ horizons and push them to rethink their place in the universe.
1. The Odyssey
Genre: Action/Fantasy
Studio: Universal
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland
What it is: An adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey captures Odysseus’ (Matt Damon) decade-long journey back to his kingdom of Ithaca after the fall of Troy, all while Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus (Tom Holland) fend off increasingly aggravated suitors in the blind hope that their husband and father will come home. In classic Nolan fashion, the myth is grounded in physical reality: shot largely at sea, with fantastic elements (e.g., the Cyclops) realised through in-camera technique rather than digital shortcuts. The result is a gargantuan production, with over two million feet of film, and the first movie shot entirely on IMAX cameras.
Why it made the list: I mean…come on. Nolan’s knack for drilling into his characters’ inner conflicts already guarantees compelling viewing, but the sheer ambition of this project is reason enough to show up. Sea battles, meddling Greek gods, and the Trojan Horse–all staged on an epic scale–promises unprecedented spectacle. This is cinema at its absolute purest, and it’s hard to imagine a more anticipated theatrical release in 2026.
Honourable Mentions
Mercy
Genre: Sci-fi/thriller
Studio: Amazon MGM
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Starring: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis
Set in 2029 Los Angeles, Mercy follows a detective put on trial for his wife’s murder, with his guilt or innocence decided in ninety minutes by an AI judge he helped build. It’s a sharp, topical premise, even if there’s a lingering risk that it turns into two hours of Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson arguing over Zoom. That said, the second trailer hints at some genuinely riveting action, so this one could swing either way.
Michael
Genre: Musical/Drama
Studio: Universal
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Jaafar Jackson, Miles Teller, Colman Domingo
This biopic aims to bring Michael Jackson’s trademark energy and feel-good rhythms to the big screen, with his real-life nephew stepping into the lead role. That alone gives it a certain built-in intrigue. Still, no matter how electrifying the dance sequences turn out, the film risks feeling tone-deaf given how sensitive and controversial Jackson’s public legacy remains.
The Drama
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Studio: A24
Director: Kristoffer Borgli
Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie
Exploring a relationship thrown into turmoil just days before the couple’s wedding, The Drama has the bones of a strong, grounded rom-com–ripe for commentary on emotional maturity, communication, and how couples handle conflict when it actually matters. As with any relationship-centric story, its success primarily depends on the chemistry between its two leads.
For all the noise about algorithms, mergers, and IP fatigue, 2026 is shaping up to be a reminder of the versatility and resilience of the cinematic experience. There’s something here for every taste, from all-time greats and bold newcomers alike, and all of it is made for big screens and shared reactions. So consider this your gentle nudge: leave the couch, buy the ticket, and show up. The movies are still very much alive.
